Is It Safe to Drink Tea during Pregnancy?

Tea, whether green tea, black tea, oolong, white, or other varieties, is a healthy drink. Many women ask the question of whether or not it is safe to drink tea, such as green tea, during pregnancy. The main matter of concern is the caffeine content of tea, as there is some evidence that high doses of caffeine can be.

Is it safe to drink tea during pregnancy?

Yes, but in moderation. The answer to this question is essentially the same as for the general population. For most people, caffeine is safe, but only in moderation.

How much tea or caffeine is safe for a pregnant woman to drink?

The official stance of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as of July 2010, is that it is completely safe for pregnant women to consume less than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine daily. Although the caffeine content of tea varies widely, the amount in a single 8 ounce cup of tea is almost always under 75mg, usually under 60mg, with most teas somewhere in the 30-40mg / cup range. Coffee, by contrast, contains much more caffeine. It is thus totally safe for a pregnant woman to drink a few cups of tea a day. The studies on higher doses of caffeine are conflicting and unclear; although there is some evidence that higher doses of caffeine increase the risk of miscarriage, there is still a lot of uncertainty to these results, and there are several studies which found no effect.

It also must be emphasized that there is not really that large a difference between the guidelines for caffeine intake for pregnant women and those for the population as a whole. The Mayo Clinic's recommendation for safe caffeine intake is up to 300mg daily, and emphasized that even in non-pregnant adults, amounts of caffeine greater than 500mg daily can be associated with a number of health problems.

Drinking herbal teas during pregnancy:

Since herbal teas encompass any hot water infusion made from any plant other than the tea plant, it's hard to generalize about the safety of herbal teas during pregnancy. Since some herbs can act as potent medicines, it is best to consult a professional herbalist or other healthcare professional before consuming a potent medicinal herb, or any herbal tea in high doses. Just like with anything, moderation is the key.

There are some herbs which are thought to be beneficial during pregnancy. One such herb is red raspberry leaf, which is used extensively in traditional medicine in association with pregnancy. Some herbalists have recommended ginger to treat morning sickness, as ginger can be effective at treating nausea.

Don't worry and don't think too much:

Stress always has a negative impact on the body, and with all the messages in the media and other information sources about what a woman should or should not do during pregnancy, it's easy for pregnant women to become stressed out by worrying too much about what they should or shouldn't be eating or drinking.

As with a lot of things in life, it's best to not think too hard about it, and to use moderation and common sense. Whether you're pregnant or not, an excess or extreme of anything, whether tea, caffeine, or any food, drink, or medication, is going to be detrimental to your health, even when more moderate amounts are totally safe. Practice moderation and stop thinking about your diet: listen to your body and stay relaxed.